Sarah Hanahan Quartet
Zinc Bar82 West 3rd Street, New York 10012
Sarah Hanahan brings her quartet to Zinc Bar for an evening of jazz. The bill identifies the group as a quartet, though its other members are not listed, with Hanahan leading as an alto saxophonist. It is a chance to hear the New York City player in her own band setting, without any announced guest, tribute, release celebration, or other special program attached to the date.
Hanahan is a New York City based alto saxophonist named to NPR Jazz Night in America’s “30 Under 30 Youngbloods.” Her debut album, Among Giants, earned five stars in DownBeat and was selected among the magazine’s Best Albums of 2024. She has performed with Jeff “Tain” Watts, Nat Reeves, Peter Martin, Steve Davis, Billy Hart, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Jason Moran, Marc Cary, Joseph Farnsworth, Peter Washington, and Nicholas Payton. DownBeat’s Veronica Johnson hears “pure fierceness and lyrical conviction” in her work, while WBGO’s Greg Bryant calls her playing “intense and driving” and her sound “both melodic and muscular.”
Zinc Bar offers a richly textured experience where the past and present of jazz converge in a single, dimly lit room adorned with Art Deco details like velvet upholstery, polished brass, and a Parisian zinc bar. The venue’s layout centers around a close-up stage and a vintage bar, creating a setting where the music is both the focus and a shared journey. Patrons can expect expertly crafted cocktails alongside performances that range from world-class jazz to vibrant Brazilian and African rhythms, often featuring multiple sets and occasional late-night jams. The seating is lounge-style, encouraging attentive listening rather than casual chatter, making it a place to immerse fully in the sound. This is a space where history lingers, once hosting legends like Billie Holiday and Thelonious Monk, now continuing their legacy with a sophisticated yet welcoming vibe.